Discover the Hilarious Charm of Pawnee: Top 12 Fun Facts About Parks and Recreation You Can't Miss!

1. NYC Parks' Great Depression Glow-Up

When New York City's parks hit "rock bottom" during the Great Depression, they were quite literally a concrete jungle where dreams were made - but not for playtime: Thanks to Robert Moses and Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, NYC parks underwent a massive transformation, expanding their acreage and adding playgrounds, zoos, golf courses, and recreational buildings. However, many of these projects catered to specific demographics and were not easily accessible by public transit, leading to continued inequities in park funding.
Source => fordhamobserver.com

2. Redwood Parks: Tree-Hugging Giants

Taking tree-hugging to new heights: Redwood National and State Parks are home to a colossal 45 percent of California's remaining old-growth redwoods, some reaching over 300 feet tall and sporting termite-proof furrowed bark thanks to the tannin it contains. These skyward wonders can be found along the northern coast of California, and you can even camp out amidst these gentle giants at four different campgrounds – just make sure to book a reservation!
Source => nps.gov

Discover the Beast's wild fashion secret - a unique combination of various animal features, designed by Glen Keane, that makes him "Fiercely Fabulous Frankenstein." 🦁🐃🦍🐗

=> Fun Facts about Beauty-And-The-Beast

3. Mill Ends Park: Smallest Park, Biggest Charm

If you think size matters, try telling that to Portland, Oregon's tiniest claim to fame, a speck of land that outshines its larger siblings in the world of parks: Mill Ends Park, recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the smallest park in the world, measures a mere 2 feet in diameter with a total area of 452 square inches and was created by journalist Dick Fagan in 1948 as a home for some stray flowers in an unused hole on a median strip. With a legacy of housing St. Patrick's Day festivities and rose plantings, this pocket-sized park packs a punch in the history department.
Source => portland.gov

4. Dinosaur National Monument: Fossils & Fun Galore

You know that awkward moment when people think you're a paleontology nerd just because you're hanging out with 1,500 dinosaur fossils peeping through the walls like curious Instagram followers? Yep, that's life at Dinosaur National Monument for you: a fascinating park where one can admire a cliff face full of prehistoric bones up-close, delve into ancient petroglyphs, and enjoy modern-day activities such as river rafting, hiking, and camping all within 210,000 acres of thrilling experiences.
Source => nps.gov

5. Yellowstone: Earth's Ultimate Hot Springs

If you thought your hot yoga class was steamy and packed with action, wait until we take you on a trip to Yellowstone National Park: This real-life pressure cooker hosts over 10,000 hydrothermal features, including more than 500 geysers and trillions of extreme-loving microorganisms called thermophiles, making it Earth's ultimate hot springs, mudpots and fumaroles destination.
Source => nps.gov

6. Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden: A Whimsical Wonderland

Oh, the places you'll go, and the sculptures you'll find! In the midst of Springfield, Massachusetts, there's a magical land where the Cat in the Hat, the Grinch, and Loraxes roam freely – if only in the form of gigantic bronze statues: Welcome to the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, opened in 2002 and featuring statues crafted by his step-daughter, Lark Grey Dimond-Cates – a playground for over 3 million Dr. Seuss fans who've flocked here so far. Too curious for more? Hop two floors up at The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum to immerse yourself in the fantastical world of the beloved author.
Source => springfieldmuseums.org

7. Hyde Park: Sizeably Superior to Monaco

If size really does matter, Monaco must be suffering from a serious case of Hyde Park envy: While the tiny, glitzy Riviera playground is a mere 2 square kilometers, London's famous Hyde Park, complete with Speakers' Corner and the site of the Great Exhibition of 1851, spans 2.86 square kilometers—43% larger than its Monégasque counterpart.
Source => comparea.org

8. Gwangmyeong Cave: From Gold Mine to Aqua Shrine

Who needs a goldfish when you can have a whole cave of piscine bling? Gwangmyeong Cave, South Korea's swankiest subterranean playground, is diving headfirst into aquatic opulence: Once a gold and silver mine in 1912, this glittering grotto now boasts a Cave Aqua World with local fish species, golden plaques for written wishes, a dazzling media show on cave walls, a Golden Road promoting long life and peace, and a wine cave with over 170 locally-produced wines.
Source => medium.com

9. Port Lockroy: Penguins Meet Post Office

Who knew penguins had a penchant for retail therapy? At the world's chilliest mall, also known as Port Lockroy in Antarctica: this 'living museum' features a historic site, a UK-managed gift shop, the most southerly public Post Office, and a unique opportunity to mail letters from the bottom of the world - all while supporting the restoration of nearby historic sites and with friendly penguins as neighbors!
Source => britishantarcticterritory.org.uk

10. Snoopy's Home Ice: Schulz's Icy Wonderland

Step aside, Peanuts on ice: Charles M. Schulz isn't just about cartoons and lovable characters! In a delightful twist of animation-meets-skate-ovation, the famous cartoonist himself founded Snoopy's Home Ice in Santa Rosa: A year-round ice rink where visitors can take lessons, skate, play broomball, and even dine at the Schulz-frequented Warm Puppy Café – where else can you dig into Snoopy's Special, served in an authentic dog dish?²
Source => sonomacounty.com

11. Corniglia: Cinque Terre's Introverted Village

Corniglia: the shyest village in Cinque Terre that prefers to play hard-to-get at 100 meters above sea level: As the only Cinque Terre National Park village not directly built on the sea, you'll either need to climb 382 steps or catch a shuttle bus to break the ice with Corniglia. This tiny, introverted gem rewards those who put in the effort with stunning sunsets, one-of-a-kind romantic vibes, and fabulous sea views from a handful of top-notch hotels. Not to mention that it's the perfect wingman for hikers looking to explore Cinque Terre's most picturesque trails to Vernazza and Manarola.
Source => cinqueterre.eu.com

12. Sapporo: Lilac Festivals & Ramen Feasts

Whoever said Sapporo is only good for beer obviously hasn't lilac-ed enough: Odori Park and Kawashimo Park boast nearly 400 and 1700 lilac trees, over 200 varieties in total, during the Sapporo Lilac Festival in May, offering hands-on activities, music, and local wines and ramen.
Source => kyuhoshi.com